Aussie comedian and national treasure Magda Szubanski has given a special shoutout to a young fan who cheered her up during chemotherapy treatment.
The 10-year-old girl paid homage to Szubanski’s beloved character Sharon, from the hit show Kath and Kim, by impersonating her during book week at school.
In a video posted to social media this weekend, Szubanski laid resting in bed as she told the girl that her portrayal of Sharon cheered her up as she underwent chemotherapy. Szubanski has been battling Stage Four Mantle Cell Lymphoma since she announced her diagnosis at the end of May this year.
“Well, this is a special shout out to little 10-year-old Annabella Willis in Adelaide,” Szubanski said in her latest video update. “I just wanted to say darling… thank you so much for your impression of Sharon Strzelecki.”
“I’m in here having chemo, and it really cheered me up, and I’m very touched. That was a beautiful thing to do. Thank you, my sweet. Lots of love to you. Bye, now and lots of love to you all.”
In her caption, Szubanski thanked Annabelle once more and noted that while chemotherapy is “smackin’ me around right now”, the little girl’s “stellar Book Week homage” has brought joy.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma is a rare form of blood cancer, and Szubanski, 64, shared the heartbreaking diagnosis with her fans on social media back in May. Since then, she’s received countless heartfelt well-wishes from people across the country.
Last month, Szubanski was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame, after 40 years working in the industry. She became the fifth woman to be awarded Australia’s top TV honour.
“The love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami, from the Australian public, has been overwhelming and I have to tell you, it really helps,” Szubanski said in her award speech.
“When I go online and look at those messages, every time, my heart lifts. And I feel that much stronger to deal with the cancer.”
Szubanski has won seven Logies over the course of her career and twice been named the Most Popular Person on Television, in 2003 and 2004. She’s written an award-winning memoir, Reckoning, and has been an influential advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.